Storage vault



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 24, 1925. I C- H. MOORES ET AL STORAGE VAULT Filed llay 15 {.1922

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March 24, 1925. 1,530,570

C. H. MOORES ET AL STORAGE vwur 1 Filed May 15, 1922 s Sheets-Shei 2 Q Q a OOOOOOQQOOOQOO Z5 fnven'lra" Gjaarka fi Moorycq. Waz'nwrzyfi 5 Games,

March 24, 1925. 1,530,570 Cpl-l. MOORES ET AL STORAGE VAULT Filed May 15, 1922 SSheetS-Sheet' 3 Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHARLES H. MOORES AND WAINWIRIGHJTJB. GEBVAIS; OF CHICAGO; ILLINOIS.

STQRAGE VAULT;

Application filed May 15, 192?. Serial No. 560,901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES H. MooREs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and WAINwRrcHrB. GERVAIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Storage Vaults, of which the following is a specification.

trucks or the like, to the place where the.

goods are to be received and returned to the warehouse in like manner, after being packed, sealed, etc. At the warehouse the vaults are removed from the trucks and placed in suitable compartments especially designed therefor. This method obviates the necessity of removing the goods from a van or the like and re-packing them in the warehouse, such as is the practice according to the old method.

One object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage vault whichshall be especially adapted to the practice above described. Another object is to provide a vault of the character described which shall be constructed of sheet metal, reinforced in such wise as to render the same very strong and durable, while at the same time providing a construction which is light in weight. A further object is to provide in such a vault, ventilators adapted to automatically close in the event of a fire within the vault so as to prevent spreading of the same and at the sametime. preventing the further circulation of air into the vault. Another object is the provision ofautomatically operable temperature controlled means for the generation of carbon dioxide, or other heavier-than-air gas, within'the vault in the event of fire.

Other objects or advantages will be apparent from the following description taken 5 in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein one form of the invention is illustrated.

I In the 'drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a storage vault constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow shown in said figure and illustrating the ventilators in closed position.

Fig. 4: is a side elevation of one of the storage vaults.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6' is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. i

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the vault is shownv as comprising top, bottom, side, and end sections, all of sheet metal construction. The bottom 10 of the vault, is crimped longitudinally as'at 10 to provide channel-like ribbed portions which serve to stiffen the bottom and to impart rigidity thereto. At its edges the bottom section 10 is crimped upwardly to pro vide, in effect, a flange 101, said flange extendingcompletely around the bottom section. Suitable angle irons 11 areriveted or otherwise secured to this raised fiange 10? of the bottom section. The two side sections 12 and 13 andthe back section 14 are of comparatively heavy gauge corrugated sheet metal, the corrugations extending vertically from, top to bottom ofsaid sections. At suitable intervals these corrugated sections 12, 13, and 14 are crimped as at 12, 13 and 14 respectively to provide ribs of channel configuration in cross section exteiidingfrom one edge of the other thereof, also in a vertical direction. These crimped portions serve as stiffening or reinforcing ribs. Secured against angle irons 11, which as above described are riveted to the flange 10? of the bottom section 10, is another set of angle irons 15, the latter being so positioned that one leg thereof extends outwardly ,away from the bottom section to form a ledge or shoulder 15 adapted to underlie the lower edges of the side and back sections previously described. After these latter sections have been mountedin upright. positions upon the-ledgeor shoul der 15 they are securely clamped adjacent their bottom edges between the upright leg of theiangle iron lfi and an outenband coniposedof a-series of metal straps or bars 16 y means of rivets or the like 16.

The top section. iof-r-sthe l vaultj is shown at 17 and is preferably in theform of a fiat sheet of metal down turned at its edgesqto provide flange 17 Spot welded or otherwise secured to the undersurfa'ce ofthe top section are a plurality of angle bars l't' the latter loeing spaced inwardly slightlyirom the flange 17 so as to provide a grooveifor the reception of the upperedges of the side, back -and fronhse'ctions of the vault when the cover --is positioned. lf desired, the cover may be held firmly imposition-by means: of -r ivets 17 "or: the 5 "like, -which extend through the flanges I7 and 17 -and the upperedges of the I corrugated side: and end sections cf 1 the vault -as shown more clearly in Fig, 5. Alsosecured against the under surfaceo'f the top-section 17 area plur-a l-ity of transversely "extending angle bars 17. These may also be attached to the top by means of; spot-Welding 5:01 the likeiand serve as reinforcements OrstifFeningJribs. Further, ;in connection ,with the top lsecti-on, it is to be noted that the same ,is providedtwith a, slight pitch inoppositedirections fI QHI its transverse center lineso-as to provide forrapi'd, draining when the vault is exposed to the-weatherv Along its front edgethe topsectio-nis, provided with a small downwardlyinclined water shed 179.

r Vertically e tendingaangle,irons lS are provided tore n 'orce and stiffen the corner edges-ofthe vault .u' herethe side and end sections come together, the meeting edges of said sections being riveted or otherwise securely tastened to these angle .hars, as shown inore- -clearly inFig 6. If desired, thehottomconners of theyaultmay be furtherrreintorced,bygusset plates, .or the. like assat l9. The vault, in its entirety ,mayalso be further ,re-in torced. stiffenedv by means of ehanneL bars 20, one; for each of the side and hacklseetiensheing shown in thedrawings, these bars -eXtendi-ng preferably ,at right angles to-the-cornugations and substantia'lly midway of I the bottom and top edges of seldsections, .assho-wii. more clearly invFigv. zThese bars may be secured in position in anyi well-known manner, I

' ,Tihe frontsection of. the.vaultcomprises a plurality of.- QlltMKillZdl-y; swinging doors 21,

suitably r ntorced and .hingedhlong their outer ver cal edges ,as at 1-21. Suitable locking mechanism designated generally .by re enencetche za t .22, epn icled o meventing access to the vault after the same has been packed and-stored. The ,1 mechanism, con prises briefly, .a circularplate, 22 l-iavin-g ttotally; attached, thereto oppositely ezxtendin alea iinggba se nofls22 whi engage at enough, apertures in brackets 22" o the; qdoors.

the vault by means of which the plate 22 (may he rockedin either. direction .to project or retract the bars 22 to thus lock or unlock lVhen the doors are locked, the lever 22 is in the position shown in Fig. 1,

restingv downwardly upon bracket 22 the latter and lever 22 being provided with alined apertures adapted to be engaged by the'hasp of a padlock or the like 23.

"Extendingtransversely across the-bottom sectionzo'zf thevault area-pli irality of channel bars '24 disposed-with their 'backs a gain'st the:.bottom face ofxsaid section and with their channels disposeddownwardly. -Secured-within the channels of these bars 24, adjacent their 'oppositeends are=a plurality of brackets 1 9A which carry :aXles 25,- the latter extending parallel 'Wiljll respect to the channel bars 24 andterininating short of the endsefathe latter. Small flanged wheels 21 are carried adjacent theends otaxles 25 and inwardly of thehbr-ackets' -24, these wheels ebeing, adapted; for engagement .with suitable rails 26- up'on which the vaults are moved from place to place in the warehouse. It is also contemplated j to I provide tracks such as} j-u st described on the vehicles used for. conveying the-vaults frenrand to the warehouse soxthat at=;all times the said vaults will he .-supported on tracks, thus rendering the sanaeeasily movable.

fiiecuredto the interior of theside sections and preferably to the criui-ped portionsilQ, and 'l33-respectively are a plurality-bfhasps orthe like 27. To. these haspstare attached sections of strap 28 provided with the ordinary buckle;etc.,2-9, the;pi-irpose of these straps being to provide- :a barrier :for the goods after the same have been packed'into the vault. Azpair :of these straps isprovidcd, at. the "front. end of the vault immediately inside the 'doors,.t.hese lacing used whenthevault is completely filled. hen thevault is only; .halfor, three-quarters filled, however, the pairs of. straps: in. the. middle of the vaulter those immediately forward thereof maywbe used. It willValso be observed. that these straps vwhen buckled ,act to reinforce the. side sections, counteracting all ,buckling: and bulging tendencies.

:Hand grips. .30, a or the like, may he provided atopposite sides .otv the vault to facilitate-moving the same. from place to place. To further facilitate ,moving of :the vault oneormoreelongated hooks 32,,1nay. be provided, one being shownin the .drawingsat tachedrat its rearendto asuitable bracket or angle har32 carried, by the. bottom section of the vault. Fromthis bracket .32 the hook extends forwardly. and is {supported intermediate, its ends between "front channel bar-.24 and the bottom surface of section 10.

tion of the vault so as to be readily accessible.

In each of the doors 21 there is provided a screened ventilating opening 31. Cooperating with each of these openings is a pivoted shutter or the like 31, these shutters being normally held in the raised position, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of wire or the like, 31", and interposed fusible link 31. The fusing point of the metal of which link 31 is constructed is so regulated that upon a marked rise in temperature, such as would be occasioned by a fire, or the like, the said link is melted or broken allowing the shutters 31 to fall by gravity, thereby closing the ventilating openings, as shown in Fig. 3. A suitable stop 31 is provided to limit the downward movement of the shutters.

As a further precaution against damage to goods which may be stored in the vault as a result of fire or the like, means is provided therein for the automatic generation of carbon dioxide, or other heavier-than-air gases upon a marked rise in temperature. This means, in the present disclosure, comprises a cylindrical container 33, riveted or otherwise secured against the bottom surface of the top section 17 of the vault. In the bottom of this container 33 a suitable dry chemical 33 is placed and covered with some water proof material so as to prevent dete rioration such as would result by exposure to the atmosphere. Suspended within the container 33 immedately above the dry chemical, is a small fragile receptacle 33 which contains the liquid chemical. The side walls of the container immediately adjacent the upper edge thereof are apertured as at 33. Projecting into the container 33 but normally held out of contact with fragilecontainer 33 is a sharp pointed spring pressed plunger 33 held in its normal position by means of a collar 33 and fusible link 33. The fusing point of the metal link 33Fis also regulated so that upon a marked rise in temperature within the vault, the link will be melted or broken, thus releasing the plunger 33 whereupon the latter will be shot forward by the spring the pointed end thereof fracturing the receptacle 33 and allowing its liquid contents to flow into contact with the dry chemical 33*, thereby generating the heavier than air gas. The latter will be forced outwardly through apertures 33 into the vault and extinguish the fire. In practice it is preferred to regulate the fusing points of the metals of which links 31 and 33 are made so that the former will be broken slightly in advance of the latter. In this way the circulation of air into or through the vault will be obstructed prior to the release of the fire extinguishing gas, thus rendering the latter more effective.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the present improvements are susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the inven tion and accordingly it is not desired to limit the same except where limitations appear in the appended claims.

hat we claim is- 1. A portable storage vault of sheet metal construction, comprising vertically corrugated side and back sections, a bottom section, said bottom section being crimped upwardly around its edges to provide a flange, angle bars secured to said flange and surrounding said section, a second set of angle bars secured to said first named bars in such wise as to form an inverted T in cross sec tion, the outer arm of said T underlying the lower edges of said side and back sections, and an outer band of bars surrounding said sections in the vicinity of said bars.

2. A portable storage vault of sheet metal construction, comprising top, bottom, side and back sections, said bottom section being crimped upwardly around its edges to provide a flange, angle bars secured to said flange and surrounding said section, a second set of angle bars secured to said first named bars in such wise as to form an inverted T in cross-section, the outer arm of said T underlying the lower edges of said side and'back sections.

In testimony whereof, we have subscribed our names.

CHARLES H. MOORES. VVAINWRIGHT B. GERVAIS. 

